On a magical night, Baby Jesus was born in the Nativity Scene. Mary and Joseph, surrounded by shepherds, angels, and the Eastern star, celebrated this miraculous event. Joachim, the innkeeper, approached the Child and offered him his heart, recognizing his divinity. “I have come to see you, Jesus, because Salome (you know her, she is my employee at the inn) told me that I can speak to you alone, in a low voice or even without words, because you always listen to me. She says that you are the Son of God and the King of Israel, and I believe her. My name is Joachim and I have worked in the hotel business since I was little. I am married to Susana, and we have three daughters and four sons…” said Joachim with emotion.
Joachim shared his story and his feelings with Baby Jesus. “Look, Jesus, this afternoon I spoke to your Father because I wanted to give him an explanation for what happened the other night. We became friends right away, and he laughed a lot at my clumsy apologies. It turns out that the other day your parents knocked on the door of my inn. The first thing that caught my attention was your Mother: You know that children always fool ourselves into thinking that our mother is the most beautiful woman in the world, that is why a mother is more beautiful when she has many children: Because there are many looks that beautify her. However, you, when you see your Mother and compare her to the most beautiful thing in the world, you will not fool yourself. Your compliments will never be exaggerated, I tell you. And you will not be able to make her more beautiful, no matter how much you look at her. I tell you this so that you understand that the other night I would have given your parents my entire inn if it had been possible,” said Joaquin sincerely.
Joaquin also shared his reflections and his desire to offer his heart to Baby Jesus. I still wonder if I should have thrown out all the guests… When they were about to leave, I offered Mary to stay with my wife in our little room, and Joseph and I would come to this stable to spend the night. Your Mother’s face lit up, and she thanked the Lord when I said about the stable; she told your Father that they would be very well here, so that You would be born in a secluded place, without noise or disturbance. Do you know what I have been thinking since the other day?: I have realized that my soul is like my inn: It is always full of guests, who with their noise silence the anguish that from time to time constricts my spirit. Until You came: You only asked me for a corner, and I sent You to the stable. What should I do? Since You passed by my house, I have lost my peace. That is why I have come now, after finishing work, I do not care that it is night, I needed to talk to You. The only thing I can think of that I can offer you is my heart, here I bring it to You, Jesus. You know “I cannot turn anyone out of the inn because it is a public establishment; but if you find any undesirable guest in my soul, you can safely throw him out, so that You will be more comfortable,” said Joachim humbly.
Joachim also mentioned Salome’s dedication and her desire to care for the Child Jesus and his parents. And returning to the subject of the inn, Salome, my maid, has told me that she wants to take care of you and your parents while you are in Bethlehem. We have given her permission to miss work whenever she thinks it necessary. She will bring you everything you need… The angels sing a Christmas carol. With the music, the shepherds wake up and approach the Nativity scene, kneeling around the manger. Salome also enters. Zebulun sits next to the Child and lovingly takes his hand. “Everyone joins in the angels’ song,” said Joaquin joyfully.
The angels sang Christmas carols, and everyone joined in a song of joy and hope. “To Bethlehem, shepherds, to Bethlehem, children, for the King of the little angels has been born,” echoed in the air. Zebulun, with his little dog Peque, sat beside the Child and lovingly held his hand. This Christmas night, love and hope filled the hearts with all present, reminding us that the birth of the Child God is a divine gift to humanity. The Eastern star shone brightly, guiding the Magi to the Nativity scene, where the Child Jesus, the Savior of the world, had been born.
Article based on the book, The Nativity Scene God Made
- The Heavenly Announcement: The Angels and the Eastern Star
- The Shepherds and the Divine Radiance
- Salome, the Washerwoman with an Angel’s Heart
- Zebulun and his Encounter with the Child Jesus
- The Birth of the Child God: A Night of Joy and Hope
